Reconfigurable leaching module

ABSTRACT

Reconfigurable water leaching modules are provided herein. These modules may comprise a plurality of dosing conduits and a plurality of leaching channels fluidly coupled to the dosing conduits where the leaching channels are reconfigurable from a first retracted position to a second extended position and where the leaching channels may hang downwardly from the dosing conduits in the second extended position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application62/502,082, which was filed on May 5, 2017 and is entitled ModularReconfigurable Leaching Field. The '082 application is incorporated inits entirety by reference into this application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Processes, systems, apparatuses, and articles of manufacture involvinginfiltration fields for use in residential, commercial, or industrialwater infiltration systems are provided herein. More particularly,reconfigurable leaching modules, for use in a water infiltration field,where the leaching modules are reconfigurable from a first compactorientation to a second enlarged orientation, are provided herein.

BACKGROUND

Water infiltration systems vary in size and scope. They can be sized forprocessing large amounts of water from a municipality or other largecumulative systems for benefitting many residences, businesses, andindustrial facilities serviced by the municipality. Water infiltrationsystems can also be designed and sized for single home residential useand for small-scale residential and commercial uses.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments may be directed to processes, apparatuses, systems, andmanufactures involving reconfigurable leaching modules. These modulesmay comprise one or more leaching channels and may be connected togetherto form a leaching field of an infiltration system of a water treatmentor other water processing system. Modules may include distributionconduits hydraulically coupled to leaching channels where the conduitsand channels are connected such that they may be moved as a unit fromone place to another, i.e., the conduits and channels may be modular.The conduits and channels, i.e. the module, while moveable, may also bereconfigurable such that they may be moved while in a firstconfiguration and may be deployed and used in an infiltration field ofan infiltration system while in a second configuration.

Water processing systems, such as wastewater treatment systems, maycomprise one or several of these leaching modules for use in a leachingfield, drain field or other infiltration field or an infiltration systemwhere the modules, field, and system are configured to treat orotherwise process water having various sources including wastewater,storm water, and process water (all of which are herein collectivelyreferred to as water). The infiltration fields may comprise one or moreleaching modules, where each of the modules of a leaching field may havethe same layout topology, or where leaching modules of an infiltrationfield or infiltration system may have different topologies or layouts.For example, some infiltration fields may have modules with differentloading configurations, different leaching channel orientations,different leaching channel constructions, and/or different module layouttopologies.

As noted, the leaching modules may be reconfigurable from a firstconfiguration to a second configuration. This second configuration mayhave the leaching module occupy a larger overall volume than the firstconfiguration. This increase in occupied volume may occur because theleaching channels of the modules comprising a modular infiltration fieldbecome more extended or fully extended while in the secondconfiguration. Thus, by expanding or otherwise extending the leachingchannels of a module or several modules, the distribution conduit(s) andleaching channel(s) of each module can occupy a larger volume of spacethan when in the nonextended or first configuration. Suchreconfigurability may be beneficial for storage and/or transportation orfor other reasons as well.

There are various adaptations of embodiments, and many permutations,that may be employed within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.Those of skill will understand that the invention is not to be limitedto only those embodiments described herein and that other embodimentsand applications consistent with the teachings herein would also fallwith the scope of this disclosure. For example, and as explained in moredetail below, these other permutations can include variations incomponents of the leaching modules, the infiltration fields, anysurrounding Infiltration Treatment Media (ITM), the connections betweenthe leaching modules and other leaching modules as well as othercomponents of an infiltration field, an infiltration system, and/or awater processing system, or other components of a water processingsystem, the configuration of the infiltration fields themselves, and/orthe configuration and components of infiltration systems comprising theleaching module(s), as well as still other permutations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows cross-sectional views of leaching module components in aretracted position and an extended position as may be employed in eachof the modules disclosed herein as well as in other embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a dual manifold leaching module whereeach leaching channel comprises manifolded upper distribution conduitsand manifolded lower redistribution conduits as may be employed inembodiments.

FIG. 3 shows an upper manifold leaching module with six leachingchannels, six upper distribution conduits, and no lower redistributionconduits as may be employed in embodiments.

FIG. 4 shows the manifolded leaching module of FIG. 3 in a retractedposition as may be employed in embodiments.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the manifolded leaching module ofFIGS. 3 and 4, with a manifold extension and a manifold riser as may beemployed in embodiments.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the dual-manifold leaching module ofFIG. 2, where the upper distribution conduits are manifolded, the lowerredistribution conduits are manifolded, and the module also comprisesrisers and a dual-manifold observation port as may be employed inembodiments.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of exoskeleton supports, and a partialcross-sectional view of a portion of a leaching channel, as may beemployed in embodiments.

FIG. 8 shows two exoskeleton supports, connected to each other, as maybe employed in embodiments.

FIG. 9 shows two exoskeleton supports prior to installation aboutcomponents of a leaching module, as may be employed in embodiments.

FIG. 10 shows a multiple module infiltration field of an infiltrationsystem of a water processing system where the field employs variousleaching modules, including those of FIGS. 2-6 as described herein, asmay be employed in embodiments.

FIG. 11 shows cross-sectional views of several leaching channels and thepositioning of inner materials and outer materials as may be employed inembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments may be directed to processes, apparatuses, and manufacturesin which reconfigurable modular leaching fields are involved.Embodiments may include distribution conduits hydraulically coupled toleaching channels where the conduits and channels are connected suchthat they may be moved as a unit from one place to another, i.e., theconduits and connected channels are modular. The conduits and channels,while moveable, may also be reconfigurable such that they may be movedwhile in a first configuration and may be deployed and used in aleaching field of an infiltration system of a water treatment system orother water processing systems while in a second configuration. Theleaching modules may, in embodiments, be assembled offsite and thenshipped in a retracted position where later they may be configured intoa, second, or expanded, configuration and placed in the expandedconfiguration for use in an infiltration system. The water processingsystem, which can comprise the infiltration system, can comprise othercomponents such as processing tanks, vents, valves, blowers, pumps,electronic controllers, etc. A water processing system may treat orotherwise process water having various sources including wastewater,storm water, and process water (all of which are herein collectivelyreferred to as water).

The second module configuration may occupy a larger space than the firstmodule configuration. This increase in occupied space may occur becausethe leaching channels become more extended or fully extended while inthe second configuration. Thus, by expanding or otherwise extending theleaching channels of a module, the conduit and channels can occupy alarger volume of space than when in their nonextended or firstconfiguration. Such reconfigurability may be beneficial for storageand/or transportation, or for other reasons.

In use, a leaching field or other infiltration field of an infiltrationsystem may be constructed in phases through the use of modules. Eachmodule, when in an expanded configuration, may be is suitable fortreating and/or infiltrating a certain volume of water and can beconfigured into bedroom units or other measurable units for treatment ofwater in an infiltration field. In other words, a leaching module may besized and/or otherwise configured to accept and process the anticipatedwater associated with a single bedroom of a multiple bedroom dwelling.Thus, if a four-bedroom home is being serviced, four modules may beinstalled in a leaching field of the infiltration system. When more flowis present, e.g., when more bedrooms are present or an increase in flowis anticipated or realized, additional modules may be added to the waterprocessing system to increase the treatment and hydraulic capabilitiesof the system as a whole. Likewise, when fewer bedroom or less demand isanticipated or realized, fewer modules may be employed. The modules maybe fabricated for a certain number of bedrooms, for example, one modulemay serve 1.5 bedrooms or two bedrooms or one bedroom, so when a bedroomis added, an additional module, calibrated for that single bedroom maybe added.

In embodiments, the leaching modules may be connected in series, inparallel, or in combinations of series and parallel. They may beconnected with one or more valves and may be vented as well.Infiltration treatment media (ITM) may be placed between the leachingchannels as well as around, below, and above the installed leachingmodules. This ITM may be placed during the installation of theinfiltration system. The modules may be constructed offsite and broughtto an installation site in a retracted, or collapsed, condition. Then,ahead of, or during installation, the modules may be reconfigured intotheir extended positions and installed as a leaching field or otherinfiltration field.

Various designs and materials may be employed in embodiments. PVC pipeor other pipe material may be employed as a support and/or dosingdistribution conduit, while the reconfigurable leaching channels may becomprised of various combinations and configurations of geotextilematerials, two-dimensional structures, three-dimensional structures(e.g., a pliable mat, cuspated panel, or other structure with or withoutfabric or membrane and a notable thickness, e.g., greater thanapproximately ⅛″), and flat pipes, among other things. Thus, thereconfigurable channels may be pliable in some embodiments and rigid inothers, depending upon the materials comprising the leaching channels.Spacers may be used in the leaching channels to maintain a preferredchannel height. These spacers may be positioned between upperdistribution conduits and lower redistribution conduits, but may also beemployed when no lower redistribution conduits are present and may serveto maintain a minimum height of a leaching channel.

In embodiments, the fabric or membrane or other outer material ofexemplary leaching channels may preferably be hygroscopic orhygroscopically treated. This outer material may encase the entireleaching channel or may encase only portions of it. For example, asshown in FIG. 1 the outer material may cover the distribution conduitand the inner material but not the bottom end in certain embodiments,while in other embodiments the full perimeter of a leaching channel maybe encompassed by outer material. In embodiments, a preferred thicknessfor the three-dimensional geotextile may be approximately0.5″-0.75″-1.5″-2″ or so such that the treatment channels may have aweight and stoutness that promotes long term flow of water as well asinstallation alignment when moving the leaching channels from a firstconfiguration to a second configuration. When pipes are 3″ in diameter,leaching channels can have various thicknesses and can be 1″-3″ inthickness or or more than 3″ in thickness. When pipes are 4″ indiameter, leaching channels can have various thicknesses and can be1″-4″ in thickness or or more than 4″ in thickness. The leachingchannels may have parallel side cross-sectional profiles, nonparallelside cross-sectional profiles, a triangular cross-sectional profile orother cross-sectional profiles. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG.11, the leaching channel may be offset when hanging below thedistribution conduit when in an extended configuration. Other extendedconfigurations can have the leaching channel being more evenlydistributed below the distribution channel when in an extendedconfiguration. The earlier, offset, orientation be considered a “P”orientation while the later, more even, orientation may be consideredmore of a “T” orientation. Other orientations are also possible inembodiments,

The leaching channels may be typically spaced approximately 4″ to 6″apart from each other, and the space between them may be filled withsoil, such as sand, and/or other suitable treatment media. The leachingchannels preferably have a height to width aspect ratio of 3-96, butother aspect ratios within this range and outside of this range may beemployed. As noted, the leaching channels may comprise both externalmaterials and internal materials. The internal materials and externalmaterials may include stringy structures, three-dimensional plasticmatrixes, geotextile fabric or other geotextile materials, such as thoseidentified herein, and/or other filler materials as well as. Thus, insome embodiments, a leaching channel may comprise an external materialof geotextile fabric and an internal material of geotextile, and someembodiments may include a second or third or further internal materialsuch as another geotextile fabric as well as another geotextile. Stillfurther combinations may also be used in embodiments.

During installation, a support or a plurality of supports may be used tosupport the distribution conduits and allow the leaching channels tomove into an extended position. This support or supports may furtherenable soil, such as sand, polymer granules, or another ITM to be placedbetween the leaching channels. In preferred embodiments, the placementof the ITM should provide minimal disturbance to the positioning of theleaching channels after a module is positioned and the leaching channelsare positioned in their deployed position. In other words, the placementof the ITM around extended leaching channels should be preferablyaccomplished with little movement to the extended leaching channels.

Various supports may be employed to support the dosing conduits and theleaching channels during installation and afterwards, during use. Thesesupports may be placed at the ends of each module, along the length ofthe module, and/or at other positions as well. These supports may bepermanent as well as removable. Permanent supports would remain with theinfiltration field after the installation is complete, while removeablesupports may be removed once the ITM is installed or the modules areotherwise supported during installation. Some embodiments may employcombinations of permanent and removeable supports.

Embodiments may comprise a rigid piping conduit framework, which canserve to disperse water to high aspect ratio leaching channels of theleaching modules. High aspect ratio channels may be considered to beleaching channels having a height to width aspect ratio in the range ofthree to ninety-six. For example, a leaching channel with a height ofthree inches and a width of one inch would be considered to have anaspect ratio of 3, which is considered a high aspect ratio as it fallsin the range of 3-96.

As noted, leaching modules can fold flat or effectively flat forshipping and may be configured with a manifold riser or other conduitthat can be set at an elevation coincident with or higher than themodule, to preferably ensure that all or most of the infiltrativesurface of that module, as well as any connected modules, may beutilized for infiltration. These risers or other conduits can serve asan input for an installed leaching module.

Supports for the modules can include exoskeleton support stakes thatsnap over the leaching channels and internal distribution conduits.These stakes or other supports can be configured to perform variousfunctions, including: to hold the distribution conduit in the top of thehigh aspect ratio leaching channel, to hold the distribution conduit inplace for backfilling at the desired elevation and location, as well asother functions. Certain supports, including certain stakes, can alsohave connecting members and sockets to snap to the leaching channels andjoin them together at a specific distance apart to allow for sand orsoil backfilling or other ITM backfilling.

In certain embodiments, a manifold may be placed at the bottom of theleaching modules. This manifold may be configured such that it providesfor the redistribution of water between most or all of the rows ofleaching channels. Certain bottom interconnecting manifold designs mayalso be employed. These bottom interconnecting embodiments, as well asother embodiments, may have an inspection port integrated into themanifold to monitor water levels or other operational or maintenancefeatures of the leaching channels. Inspection ports can also be placedinto hydraulic communication without integration into bottominterconnecting manifolds of embodiments. Also, inspection ports may becoupled to bottom manifold or formed as part of bottom manifold inembodiments. These ports, as well as others, may be used to monitorwater, system status, carbon source efficacy, and/or other conditions.Carbon sources placed in the manifolds, other portions of the leachingmodules, and/or other portions of an infiltration system may includemethanol, methanol substitutes, microC, sugar, and/or other sources.Still further, the ports may be used for connection to other portions ofa water processing system, including denitrification systems andadditional modules.

In some applications, a water processing system can include a treatmenttank that can receive water, such as wastewater, allow for solids fromthe water to settle out, and/or remove Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD),Total Suspended Solids (TSS), nitrogen, Phosphorus, bacteria and/orpathogens, among other constituents. The water processing system canalso often include an infiltration system comprising a leaching fielddownstream of any tank for receiving the water from the treatment tank,treating the water, and/or for discharging the water back to theenvironment for further treatment and groundwater recharge.

Some embodiments may use gravity dosing of infiltration fields, whilesome may employ pressure distribution and/or pressure dosing. Systemsemploying both gravity and pressurized distribution and/or dosing mayalso be employed in embodiments. In embodiments, pressure distributionsystems can be outfitted with distal head monitoring ports, and theseports may also be utilized for cleaning the orifices. And, as shown inthe accompanying figures, the rigid piping frame work can have a ladderconfiguration with the proximal and distal ends serving to provide aframework from which the leaching modules and internal piping can besupported.

As shown in FIG. 5, manifold risers may be employed in embodiments. Thetop elevation of such risers can be configured with a saddle to hold thepipe and may be set at a desired position such that an installed modulemay be held at the correct installation elevation prior to the placementof ITM. In embodiments, a plurality of manifold risers or standoffs maybe employed and may be used to determine and set module installedelevation. In so doing, the entire area beneath the system does not needto be accurately graded as normal, rather just the area of standoffspreferably should be set at invert grade for a proper elevation andpitch to be set during installation. In avoiding the need to accuratelygrade the entire area beneath the system during installation,improvements in the speed of excavation and grading may be realized. Thesoil, such as sand, or other ITM may then be filled around the leachingmodules to fill in areas that are too low in elevation and need ITM.Thus, manifold risers can have various heights in the same installationin order to accommodate the grading and installation excavationrequirements of the site. By having different height manifold risers,the modules can be levelled or placed at an incline using the standoffsand without necessarily having the grading mimic the final top slope orlack of slope of the support pipes or conduits and the modules.

Preferred embodiments may provide quicker installations and moreaccurate placement of infiltration systems than conventional non-modularbuild-in-place systems. The exoskeleton support stakes can be utilizedto fine tune the system elevation between the standoffs, if necessary,and to maintain desired separation between channels. The stakes may alsobe used to support more flexible conduits but may be less preferred forapplication s using rigid conduits. For example, when 1″ pipe isemployed as a distribution conduit, stakes may be particularlypreferred. In contrast, when 2″ pipe is employed as a distributionconduit, because this pipe is more rigid than 1″ pipe, stakes may not bepreferred. Likewise, the stakes may be less important for larger pipesizes, including 3″ and 4″ PVC pipes.

As shown in the Figures, a redistribution manifold may be positioned ator near the bottom of a leaching module. Like the upper distributionconduits, lower redistribution conduits can use either or both ofgravity redistribution and pressurized redistribution. Theseredistribution designs can serve to redistribute water evenly betweenall or most channels, as well as provide one or more ports to measureponding or otherwise observe a status of the system.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of leaching module components in a retractedposition 100 and an extended position 150. As can be seen, the leachingchannels 101-104, may comprise various materials and may be closed loopsor have open ends. Various materials may be used to construct theleaching channels, including geotextile, a flat pipe or flat pipeequivalent, flat panels, cuspated panels, stringy structures, andflexible mats. As can be seen, the leaching channels may comprise anouter material 142 and an internal material 140 that can serve to giveweight and substance to the leaching channel. In preferred embodiments,the outer interface with the treatment media may comprise a hygroscopicmaterial and any inner material 140 may be porous or otherwise allowwater to pass through. The inner material may reside at variouslocations of the leaching channels. For example, in channel 103 theinner material does not encircle the distribution conduit 130 while inleaching channel 101 the inner material does encircle the distributionconduit 130. Spacers 141 connecting upper and lower conduits may also beused in embodiments and are shown in FIG. 1. Spacers 141 can serve toconnect upper distribution conduits 130 and lower redistributionconduits 110, but can have other configurations as well. For example,when a single conduit is present in the leaching channel, the spacer candangle from the single conduit and provide sufficient weight such thatgravity serves to extend the spacer to its preferred or full length whenthe leaching module is installed. When the spacer is in this extendedconfiguration, it can place forces on the leaching channel it supportsand serve to extend the length of the leaching channel as well. Soil,such as sand, or other ITM 160 may be placed between the leachingchannels, above the leaching channels, and below the leaching channelsof FIG. 1 when these channels are installed.

The lower conduits in embodiments may preferably serve to redistributewater and monitor water levels in the channel among other uses.

In use, the module may be installed in an excavation and supported ateach end with temporary or permanent supports and may be backfilled fromabove or otherwise, such that the backfill treatment media interfaceswith the upright outer surfaces of the geotextile wraps hanging down offof the distribution conduits. Once backfilled, the module may be coveredwith additional geotextile, soil, such as sand, a plastic impermeablecover, grass, pavers, and other materials as well. For oxygenation orother purposes, the module may be approximately six inches or more belowfinished grade, although other depths may be employed in embodiments.

The bottoms of the leaching channels may have various configurations inembodiments. These bottom configurations can include full sealed ends170 where the outer and inner materials fully wrap around any lowerredistribution conduit, open unsealed ends 171, where the inner andouter materials of the leaching channel are not fully continuous at thebottom of the channel, and open sealed ends 172, where inner and outermaterials of the leaching channel are not fully continuous about anybottom distribution conduit but the outer material covers the innermaterial at the open end of the channel.

FIG. 2 shows a dual conduit leaching module where each leaching channelhas an upper distribution conduit and a lower redistribution conduit.Labelled in FIG. 2 are the dual manifold leaching module 200, leachingchannels 101, upper tees 212, upper manifold 210, lower manifold 240,outer material 142, inner material 140, lower tees 242, inflow arrow218, outflow arrow 219, upper distribution conduits 130 and lowerredistribution conduits 110. In this and other embodiments, the upperdistribution conduit 130 may be a pipe that may serve as a dosingconduit while the lower redistribution conduit pipe may be a pipe thatserves as a collection conduit. Each of these conduits, both thedistribution and redistribution conduits in this and other embodiments,preferably include a plurality of orifices within or around the leachingchannels (see, for example orifices shown in FIG. 11 at 1111) throughwhich water may travel into and out of the conduits. The lowerredistribution conduits may also serve to pull or otherwise orient theleaching channels into an extended position. As can be seen in FIG. 2,the lower conduits can be centered or offset in the leaching channelsand can serve to pull them straight down. In embodiments, the lowerdistribution conduits may be off-center and serve to orient the leachingchannels on an angle other than 90°. In transit, the lowerredistribution conduits may rest near or be nested alongside the upperdistribution conduits, in a retracted two-dimensional arrangement forthe leaching module. Then, when ready to install, the lowerredistribution conduit may be released and allowed to drop such that theleaching module takes on a three-dimensional arrangement and occupiesmore space than in the retracted position.

Also, visible in FIG. 2 are exoskeleton spacers 261, which may be usedto maintain the distance between the dosing conduit and the lowerconduit during transport, during installation, after assembly, and atother times as well. Moreover, one or more spacers may be removed inembodiments once its spacing functionality has been satisfied. Thespacers may comprise steel, iron, or other metals or alloys. The spacersmay comprise other materials as well. For example, they may be polymer,carbon, glass, and/or cardboard, among other things.

FIG. 3 shows a module with six distribution conduits and two uppermanifolds 210 as may be employed in embodiments. Each of thedistribution conduits passes though and supports a geotextile outermaterial 142 that is configured to serve as a leaching channel 101. Ascan be seen, this outer material 142 hangs down from the distributionconduits about twelve inches or so and extends the length of thedistribution conduit. Other hanging lengths for the outer material mayinclude about 6″, 24″, 36″, and 48″. These lengths, because of theorientation of the geotextile outer material 142 hanging off of thedistribution conduits, approximate the height of the leaching module inan extended position. These lengths can also approximate the heightbetween support, or distribution, conduits near the top of the modulesand redistribution conduits at the bottom of the modules as shown inFIG. 2. Other dimensions may also be possible. As noted above and as canbe seen in FIG. 3 and in other Figures, the geotextile outer material142 may also cover an inner material 140 where one or both of thesematerials may be fabric, membrane, and/or other hygroscopic ornon-hygroscopic materials. The exoskeleton supports 301 may be employedto support the leaching modules during installation such that an invertelevation may be set at the top or bottom of the supports 301 and thiselevation may be relied upon for the invert elevation of the installedmodules rather than needing to rely on any specific grading inverterelevation below the installed module. Because of the ability to setinvert elevations with the supports 301, during installation, themodules may be rested on the supports 301 and then backfilled with ITMor other material without the necessity to carefully grade any ITM orother material below the placed module. Supports 301 may be removedafter backfilling, or may remain in place. Also labeled in FIG. 3 at 302is an example of a leaching channel where the inner materials touch eachother.

FIG. 4 shows the manifolded leaching module of FIG. 3 as may be employedin embodiments. The module of FIG. 4 shows the module of FIG. 3 in acollapsed, or retracted, position. As can be seen, the leaching channels101 rest near the distribution conduits and provide negligible, if any,additional height to the module when in the collapsed position. Thiscollapsed position may be referred to as a two-dimensional orientationbecause the height dimension is in a contracted position.

FIG. 5 shows a module with a manifold riser 280 and manifold extension281 as may be employed in embodiments. This riser 280 and extensionmanifold 281 may be used to add head to water entering the module suchthat sufficient gravitational pressure may be present to move the waterdown the entirety or the majority of the length of each of thedistribution conduits and along the entirety or the majority of thelength of the leaching channels 101. As can be seen, the manifold riser280 may be comprised of the same size and type of pipe as thedistribution conduits. In embodiments, however, other materials andsizes may be used for both the manifold, and for the distributionconduits. A manifold riser may also be directly coupled to adistribution conduit without the use of an additional manifold as shownin FIG. 5. Also labeled are exoskeleton spacers 261 and distributionconduits 130.

FIGS. 3 and 5 show two exoskeleton supports 301 as may be employed tosupport the module during installation. The supports shown arepositioned at the ends of the distribution conduits and may be beveledor otherwise cutout to seat the connector portions of the dosingconduits. During installation, after a final grade for the leach fieldinvert is known, or at other times as well, the supports 301 may beplaced in the excavation and the module may be set atop of the supports.In so doing the leaching conduits may hang downward, in a near finalpositioning and be ready for backfill. These supports 301 may be thesame height and may have different heights as well. When the sameheight, the supports 301 may be installed at different elevations, whichmay be performed by forcing the supports deeper into the ground. Thistype of forcing can add stability to the support and can serve tomaintain an upright orientation for subsequent mounting of a leachingmodule. Alternatively, supports having differing heights may be used.However achieved, the different heights may be used to level a module orseries of modules when the excavation inverter elevation is sloped. Thedifferent heights may also be used to create a target slope for one ormore modules different than the slope of the excavation in which themodule may be installed. Also, steel, or other metal, exoskeletonspacers 261 can provide iron around the system modules, this iron canassist in preventing phosphorus migration.

FIG. 6 shows how the upper distribution conduits may be manifolded forconnection to each other and for connecting to an input, an output, asampling port, and for other reasons as well. Labelled in FIG. 6 are:dual manifold observation port 620, single riser 610, which may serve asclean out or distal head ports to measure pressure at that end of aninfiltration field, outer material 142, ITM 230, lower tee 242, andlower manifold 240. FIG. 6 may be considered to show a module of FIG. 2that has been modified with single risers 610 and an observation port620.

FIGS. 2, 5, and 7-9 show exoskeleton spacers 261 as may be employed tomaintain distances between leaching channels of the same module oradjacent modules. These spacers may also be used to support the modulesduring installation in addition to or in place of the supports 301 shownin FIGS. 3 and 5. As can be seen, the exoskeleton spacers may be in theconfiguration of a “wire”, and may have an anchor loop that serves tograb a distribution conduit of a leaching channel. The exoskeletonspacer is also shown with a leg portion 730 that extends down along theleaching conduit and an arm portion 710 that reaches the leg of the nextwire spacer 261 and may connect to a receiver 720. This configurationmay be said to mimick a shepherd's hook. As can also be seen, otherconfigurations can be employed for the exoskeleton spacers. The legportions 730 may have lengths prescribed to set the invert elevation ofan installed module. Adjacent modules may have different leg portionlengths so that invert elevations between these adjacent modules can bedifferent at an installation site. Length “D” shows spacing betweenspacers of adjacent leaching channels. Also labeled in FIG. 7 is ITM230. FIG. 9 also shows an exoskeleton spacer before installation

FIG. 10 shows an overview on how modules may be connected together in aninfiltration system of a water processing system. As can be seen, asupply line 1020 may supply modules in series and/or in parallel. Andthe modules may be further coupled to other modules, to downstreamtreatment systems 1030, to recirculate water, to vents 1040, and toother outputs as well. Systems involving modules may also includeclean-outs for replacing or servicing denitrification media or for otherpurposes as well. The modules may contain various types of leachingchannels as shown in FIG. 10. Valves 1010 are also labelled in FIG. 10.Also labeled in FIG. 10 are leaching channels 101-104, distributionconduits 130, manifold riser 280, manifold extension 281, andobservation port 620.

The water processing system can include small-scale applications thatmay employ a treatment system that can often include a treatment tankwhich can include a septic, settlement or other treatment tank, or otherseptic tank; these tanks can receive water, allow for solids from thewater to settle out, and remove Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), TotalSuspended Solids (TSS), nitrogen, Phosphorus, bacteria, and/orpathogens, among other constituents. The water processing system caninclude an infiltration system comprising a leaching field with leachingmodules as described herein. These tanks and fields can operate to treatthe water and discharge the water back to the environment for furthertreatment and groundwater recharge. The leaching fields and leachingmodules, when in operation, can serve to nitrify water and subsequent tonitrifying water, treat or partially treat it. At the same time orduring subsequent steps, carbon sources may serve to denitrify the waterbeing processed.

Inner and outer materials of the leaching channels may comprisegeotextiles obtained from various manufacturers, and may include suchgeotextiles as Grasspave2, Gravelpave2, Rainstore2, Slopetame2,Draincore2, Surefoot4, Rainstore3 from Invisible Structures, Inc., 1600Jackson Street, Suite 310, Golden, Colo. 80401, and Advanedge® flat pipefrom Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. 4640 Trueman Boulevard, Hilliard,Ohio 43026. Still further, inner and outer materials of the leachingchannels may also comprise one or more geotextile comprising anirregularly coiled stringy structure contained between one or two layersof air-permeable sheeting, which layers may feel to the touch like thinfelt. In embodiments, the geotextile may have only one layer and oneside of that layer may have an irregularly coiled string plasticstructure. In some leaching channel embodiments, no inner materials maybe used, and in still other embodiments the inner material may onlyoccupy a portion of the leaching channel. For example, the innermaterial may be present below the distribution conduit but not wraparound the distribution conduit. Still further embodiments may onlyemploy an inner material present between upper and lower conduits anddoes not wrap around either upper or lower conduits. In addition, a flatpipe or other inner material may be poisoned below an upper conduit orbetween both conduits and the outer material and then may wrap aroundthis combination of materials.

FIG. 11 shows various cross-sectional views of leaching channels as maybe employed in embodiments. Distribution conduits 130 are shown.Cross-sections C and D also each include redistribution conduit 110.Cross-sections A and C show a “P” type cross section whilecross-sections B and D show a “T” type cross-section. Dosing orifices1111 are labelled in FIG. 11 as well. As noted above and as shown inFIG. 11, the inner material 140 and outer material 142 of a leachingchannel may have various combinations and orientations, and theseorientations may occur whether a redistribution conduit is present or isnot present. The inner material may wrap around the distribution conduitas in D or may only be present below the distribution conduit as in A,B, and C. The “P” configuration, where the leaching channel is offsetfrom the distribution conduit can have offsets to the left or right ofthe channel (although only right offsets are illustrated in FIG. 11).

Still further, leaching modules may be installed in a verticalorientation such that the extended position reaches to a side of thedistribution conduit and the leaching module. In embodiments where theorientation is primarily vertical, treatment media may be positionedbetween vertical or horizontal leaching channels, and duringinstallation the treatment media may be placed from the bottom up of theexcavation. Other orientations may also be employed.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended toinclude plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specific thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operation, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

It should be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, and “third”, andthe like may be used herein to modify elements performing similar and/oranalogous functions. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential,or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specificallystated.

As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” in reference to arecited numeric value, including for example, whole numbers, fractions,and/or percentages, generally indicates that the recited numeric valueencompasses a range of numerical values (e.g., +/−5% to 10% of therecited value) that one of ordinary skill in the art would considerequivalent to the recited value (e.g., performing substantially the samefunction, acting in substantially the same way, and/or havingsubstantially the same result).

Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as ashorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and eachseparate value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein

The description of the embodiments of the present invention has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description but is notintended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the invention and the practical application,and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand theinvention for embodiments with various modifications as are suited tothe particular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reconfigurable leaching module comprising: aplurality of distribution conduits, each distribution conduit of theplurality having a plurality of fluid exit orifices; and a plurality ofleaching channels, each leaching channel positioned in fluidcommunication with at least one exit orifice of at least one of thedistribution conduits of the plurality, wherein each of the leachingchannels in the plurality is reconfigurable from a first retractedposition to a second extended position, and wherein each of the leachingchannels hangs downwardly off of at least one of the distributionconduits when in the second extended position.
 2. The module of claim 1further comprising: a plurality of collection pipes or redistributionpipes wherein one or more of the collection pipes or redistributionpipes of the plurality is positioned in a leaching channel of theplurality of leaching channels and wherein two or more of the collectionpipes or redistribution pipes are manifolded together.
 3. The module ofclaim 1 wherein each of the leaching channels has a first height when inthe first retracted position and a second height when in the secondextended position, the first height different than the second height. 4.The module of claim 1 wherein each of the leaching channels has a heightto width cross-sectional aspect ratio in the range of 3 to
 96. 5. Themodule of claim 3 wherein each of the leaching channels has a height towidth cross-sectional aspect ratio when at the second height in therange of 3 to 96;
 6. The module of claim 1 further comprising: amanifold, the manifold fluidly coupled to two or more of thedistribution conduits, the manifold having a riser with an input, theriser extending away from the manifold, and the input configured toreceive water for distribution to one or more of the distributionconduits.
 7. The module of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality ofexoskeleton supports, each support having an arm and a leg, the legconnected to another support, the leg having a length equal to orgreater than a height of any of the leaching channels when the leachingchannels are hanging downwardly in the second extended position.
 8. Themodule of claim 6 wherein each of the exoskeleton supports is positionedaround an external surface of one or more of the leaching channels andhas a configuration mimicking a shepherd's hook.
 9. The module of claim1 wherein a first leaching channel of the plurality has a geotextileouter material and an open bottom with sealed ends.
 10. The module ofclaim 1 wherein a first leaching channel of the plurality has ageotextile outer material and an open bottom with unsealed ends.
 11. Themodule of claim 1 wherein a first leaching channel of the plurality hasa geotextile outer material and a geotextile inner material, the innermaterial having a thickness at least five times greater than the outermaterial.
 12. The module of claim 1 wherein each of the leachingchannels in the plurality is reconfigurable from a first retractedposition to a second extended position without changing a length of adistribution conduit in fluid communication with the leaching channels.13. An infiltration field of a water processing system comprising: aplurality of distribution conduits, the distribution conduits eachhaving a length and each configured with a plurality of water dosingorifices along the length; and a plurality of leaching channels, each ofthe channel of the plurality of leaching channels in fluid communicationwith at least one water dosing orifice of at least one of thedistribution conduits, wherein the relative configuration between thedistribution conduits and the leaching channels is reconfigurable from afirst low-profile configuration having a first height to a secondhigh-profile configuration having a second height, the second heightbeing greater than the first height.
 14. The infiltration field of thewater processing system of claim 13 wherein the low-profileconfiguration is a shipping configuration.
 15. The infiltration field ofthe water processing system of claim 13 wherein each distributionconduit of the plurality of distribution conduits is manifoldedtogether.
 16. The infiltration field of the water processing field ofclaim 15 wherein the manifolded plurality of distribution conduits formsa leaching module, the leaching module configured for movement as a unitprior to installation in the infiltration field.